Doodle Divas

11/11/2024

Amazing day spending time with a friend in Langley and walking with Juno and Macho, definitely tired them out.

11/03/2024

11/03/2024

You can't have my apple.....of course I gave in!!
Doodles, EH!?
Sardis Park Labradoodle Family
Juno and Rosie, two retired mommas ❤️

11/01/2024

https://youtu.be/jXXHw72Hlls?si=lj5TWA1UdtCX25tJ

What is your very favourite meal or desert? Imagine if each time you were eating this, I came up, gave you $20, and took your food. Maybe I give it back, or maybe I don't. Either way, you won't be excited to see me coming.

Worse, imagine each time you are eating, I approach you, stir my hand around in your food, look you in the eyes, and walk away. Pretty annoying right?

Traditional methods of treating or preventing resource guarding can cause MORE anxiety and MORE guarding.
Instead of trading, we play games to help our dogs look forward to us approaching them when they have a treasure. Watch the video below to see how I help Riker give up his treasured chew.

video preview​
Punishing dogs who who guard is a mistake.
Punishing a dog for communicating suppresses that communication and creates more anxiety. A dog who is punished may become still or cower, or even look like they are sorry for the behaviour, but the underlying emotions are staying the same or getting worse. When we play games like I did above with Riker, the dogs learn to look forward to us coming near their treasures as it predicts fun games. We change pessimism into optimism!

We all make mistakes, especially if we don't understand what is happening or have a plan on how to help our dogs.

If you react and get upset when your dog guards, give yourself a break, and make a plan for the future so you know what to do if it happens again. Often us humans resort to anger when we are frustrated or afraid. If we have a plan in place, we can avoid that scenario.

Aggression is on a dial
Resource guarding is a type of aggression that rarely can be 100% eradicated. If we work with a very young dog, the chances of it going away are much higher than if we have a mature dog who has been practicing guarding for a long time.

For all dogs however, our training games turn down the dial on the aggression/guarding behaviours. We need to keep an eye on things though as stress or illness can turn that dial back up.

For instance, Riker has been great at not guarding, but we have had construction workers at our house for a week. They tore down the deck (Riker's favourite place to nap), and have been hammering away at the house for days. This has Riker very worried, so his guarding is back temporarily.

Resource Guarding is a normal and natural behaviour
Many dogs were selected over time to have big feelings about possessions. Part of owning dogs is recognizing when they are doing normal dog things and allowing them that space. We train certain things and manage others. We all love our dogs and it's important that we meet them half way with natural dog behaviours.

In the case above with Riker, I train him to allow me to take his treasures away, but I wouldn't expect him to allow another dog or a stranger to take his treasures. Those are fair expectations =)

The Next Leash Reactivity Deep Dive Begins Jan 2025
Check out the LEASH REACTIVITY DEEP-DIVE, my group mentorship program in which I spend 8 weeks with a small group of people struggling with leash reactivity. Submit videos, ask questions, and meet awesome people and dogs.

You'll receive daily support and feedback on your training for 8 whole weeks. This is a fantastic way to jump start your training and to get some real progress for both your dog and yourself. Build your dog's skills and confidence, as well as your own!
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https://positive-dog.ck.page/profile

This game helps a dog loosen up when they are tense about a resource. You may need to start much farther away and with higher value treats. More often than ...

10/31/2024

Sardis Park Labradoodle Family
Doodles, EH!?

10/30/2024

Me and my Juno. Having a quiet week and walk before we have the fall rush of pup visitors 🐾🥰

10/23/2024

🐾 Doodle Families,

I’m sorry to say that I am now fully booked for both Christmas break 🎄 and Spring break 🌸 for Doodle Boarding.

However, I do have availability during the last week of November 🍁 and the first two weeks of December ❄️ if you'd like to book your doodle in for some extra love and attention 🐶💖 before the holiday rush!

Let me know if you'd like to reserve a spot! 😊

Doodles, EH!?
Sardis Park Labradoodle Family

10/21/2024

Can I please have some popcorn

10/18/2024

Even our music teacher and now friend Sarah loves coming to our house for our lessons!
Sardis Park Labradoodle Family

10/18/2024

All they want is my popcorn 🍿.
Sardis Park Labradoodle Family
Doodles, EH!?

10/17/2024

How many times can I say I love my life 🐕💓

10/15/2024

Macho gets more use out of the treadmill than I do.....

10/15/2024

My Juno

10/13/2024

Well, when you are sick and have to stay home for Thanksgiving it makes it worth it when we have Macho and Juno here to take care of us.
Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving 🦃

10/07/2024

Juno will not look at me.....please give me a chip sister

09/30/2024

Hard to make my bed with an Eddy in it 😁
Sardis Park Labradoodle Family
Doodles, EH!?

09/29/2024

Life is getting me up early these days and it is so nice to have company.💓